Photoluminescent Exit Lighting and Evacuation Safety

Commercial buildings need dependable safety solutions that require minimal maintenance. But they often have the exact opposite: undependable backup lighting, electrical exit signage that requires constant maintenance, and egress paths that lack luminescent markings, creating a risky reliance on backup lighting. To make a building safer and minimize safety maintenance, savvy building owners implement photoluminescent egress products. Electrical exit signs are replaced with photoluminescent signs. And luminescent egress markings and emergency signs support backup lighting. Below, we examine these measures in terms of evacuation safety and safety maintenance.

Implementing photoluminescent exit signs

Incandescent, compact fluorescent, and LED exit signs are unreliable for three reasons: they contain parts that explosions or falling debris could break, they contain backup batteries that could fail, and their visibility through smoke is often poor. With no breakable parts, no need for backup batteries, and excellent visibility in the presence of smoke, non-electric photoluminescent exit lighting eliminates these concerns.

Regarding maintenance, electrical exit signs require regular battery changes, bulb changes, and testing, while photoluminescent signs are maintenance-free. Although well maintained electrical exit signage can be dependable, human error could jeopardize its maintenance. The safest choice is exit signage that requires no maintenance.

As an added benefit, replacing electrical signage with photoluminescent signage can generate cost savings in the form of reduced utility and maintenance cost. Research shows that replacing 100 incandescent signs with photoluminescent signs could save over $3,500 a year in energy costs alone.

Implementing photoluminescent egress markings

Backup lighting is unreliable for the same reasons as electrical exit signage: it contains breakable parts, it could fail when a secondary power source fails, and its luminance is inadequate in the presence of smoke. With no breakable parts, no need for backup batteries or generator power, and excellent visibility in the presence of smoke, photoluminescent egress markings eliminate these concerns.

Regarding maintenance, backup lighting requires regular testing and occasional battery replacement, while luminescent egress markings are maintenance-free. Luminescent egress stripes are strategically placed in hallways and vertical exit enclosures according to official codes, such the International Fire Code (IFC) and the National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) Life Safety Code.

At GloBrite, we offer a variety of photoluminescent exit lighting supplies, including exit signs, egress markings, and emergency signs. Powered by our Glo Brite technology that offers superior visibility at 100 feet and up to 96 hours of burn time in total darkness, our luminescent safety products are designed to meet IBC, IFC, NFPA, and OSHA standards.

If your building lacks the safety factor of luminescent egress products, don’t wait for a botched evacuation to force your hand. Improve your building’s evacuation safety by calling us today.